Rafa Benitez’s tense interview on Sky hinted at his frustration with how the final hours of the transfer window panned out – and laid bare some tensions that had developed in a difficult month.

The Newcastle United boss had looked to sign two players in the window – a winger and a central midfielder. But after the preparatory work that had been going on for months, United did not sign anyone.

With Newcastle drawing 2-2 at St James’ Park last night to drop further points in the promotion push, a clearly frustrated Benitez was interviewed by Sky’s David Craig after the game and hinted at his disappointment with the way the window had developed.